Match report
Inter Defeats Bologna 3-1 in Serie A Thriller
Inter
3–1
FT
Bologna
Jan 4, 2026
Inter put on an impressive display to defeat Bologna 3-1 in their Serie A clash. Goals from Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martínez, and Marcus Thuram ensured Inter maintained their form at home. Despite a late consolation goal by Sergio Castro for Bologna, the outcome was already sealed.
Key Facts
- • Inter: 3 goals (Zielinski 39', Martínez 48', Thuram 74')
- • Bologna: 1 goal (Castro 83')
- • Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni received yellow cards for Inter early in the match
- • Inter made multiple substitutions, bringing on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Piotr Sučić
- • Bologna substituted four players as they sought to regain control of the game
Lineups
Inter
Formation: 3-5-2
Starting XI
- 1 Y. Sommer (G)
- 31 Y. Bisseck (D)
- 25 M. Akanji (D)
- 95 A. Bastoni (D)
- 11 Luis Henrique (M)
- 23 N. Barella (M)
- 20 H. Calhanoglu (M)
- 7 P. Zielinski (M)
- 32 F. Dimarco (M)
- 10 L. Martinez (F)
- 9 M. Thuram (F)
Substitutes
- 13 J. Martinez
- 60 A. Taho
- 6 S. de Vrij
- 8 P. Sucic
- 15 F. Acerbi
- 16 D. Frattesi
- 22 H. Mkhitaryan
- 30 Carlos Augusto
- 43 M. Cocchi
- 50 S. Cinquegrano
- 53 M. Lavelli
- 94 F. Esposito
Bologna
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 13 F. Ravaglia (G)
- 2 E. Holm (D)
- 14 T. Heggem (D)
- 26 J. Lucumi (D)
- 22 C. Lykogiannis (D)
- 6 N. Moro (M)
- 19 L. Ferguson (M)
- 11 J. Rowe (M)
- 21 J. Odgaard (M)
- 28 N. Cambiaghi (M)
- 9 S. Castro (F)
Substitutes
- 25 M. Pessina
- 82 M. Franceschelli
- 4 T. Pobega
- 7 R. Orsolini
- 8 R. Freuler
- 16 N. Casale
- 17 C. Immobile
- 20 N. Zortea
- 24 T. Dallinga
- 29 L. De Silvestri
- 30 B. Dominguez
- 33 J. Miranda
- 41 M. Vitik
- 77 I. Sulemana
- 80 G. Fabbian
Timeline
-
29' Inter Card · Yellow CardH. Calhanoglu
Argument
-
30' Inter Card · Yellow CardA. Bastoni
Foul
-
39' Inter Goal · Normal GoalP. Zielinski · Assist: L. Martinez
-
46' Bologna subst · Substitution 1Off: N. Moro · On: T. Pobega
-
46' Bologna subst · Substitution 2Off: Jhon Lucumí · On: Martin Vitík
-
48' Inter Goal · Normal GoalL. Martinez · Assist: H. Calhanoglu
-
62' Inter Card · Yellow CardN. Barella
Foul
-
67' Inter subst · Substitution 1Off: H. Calhanoglu · On: P. Sucic
-
67' Inter subst · Substitution 2Off: N. Barella · On: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
-
68' Bologna subst · Substitution 3Off: N. Cambiaghi · On: R. Orsolini
-
68' Bologna subst · Substitution 4Off: E. Holm · On: N. Zortea
-
72' Bologna Card · Yellow CardMartin Vitík
Foul
-
74' Inter Goal · Normal GoalMarcus Thuram
-
75' Inter subst · Substitution 3Off: A. Bastoni · On: Carlos Augusto
-
75' Inter subst · Substitution 4Off: L. Martinez · On: F. Esposito
-
78' Bologna Card · Yellow CardJ. Rowe
Foul
-
79' Bologna subst · Substitution 5Off: J. Odgaard · On: Remo Freuler
-
83' Inter subst · Substitution 5Off: Marcus Thuram · On: M. Lavelli
-
83' Bologna Goal · Normal GoalS. Castro · Assist: C. Lykogiannis
-
89' Bologna Card · Yellow CardC. Lykogiannis
Foul
Match Stats
| Stat | Inter | Bologna |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 20 | 21 |
| Pass Accuracy | 85% | 78% |
| Offsides | 3 | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 19 | 6 |
| Corners | 7 | 1 |
| Total Passes | 460 | 340 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 10 | 2 |
| xG | 2.93 | 0.85 |
| Shots off Target | 5 | 3 |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 392 | 266 |
| Shots Inside Box | 15 | 4 |
| Saves | 1 | 7 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 2 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Piotr Zielinski's early goal at 39' put Inter in front, setting the tone for a dominant performance.
- ▸ Lautaro Martínez doubled Inter's lead with a well-taken finish from Hakan Calhanoglu’s assist, effectively ending Bologna's hopes.
- ▸ Sergio Castro scored late to narrow the gap, but it was too little, too late as Inter maintained their three-goal advantage.